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^"rTi'-scei'wrvec  »cvme  V. 


27  1915 

1/ 


VOLUNTARY  RESIGMIJP^ 

As  an  acting  Ruling  Elder,  in  an  Old  School 
Presbyterian  Church  at  the  West :  and  cal- 
culated to  prevent  causes  leading  to  such 
events,  in  our  newly  formed  Churches. 


So  grave  and  serious  a  step,  as  voluntarily  to  give  offi- 
cial notice  of  an  unwillingness  to  act  as  a  Ruling  Elder  in 
the  Church  of  God,  seems  to  require  reasons  in  some 
measure  commensurate  with  the  act  itself.  Whether  these 
reasons  should  be  well  founded  and  known  only  to  the  in- 
lividual  himself,  to  the  Session  from  which  he  withdraws, 
br  given  to  the  public  at  large,  must  in  some  measure  de- 
pend on   the   peculiarities  connected  with  the  transaction. 

I  became  connected  with  this  Church  in  1843,  by  a  cer- 
ificate  from  a  Church  in  the  East,  known  as  moderate 
New  School,  and  more  nearly  allied  to  what  is  termed 
noderate  Old  School,  than  any  other  designation,  and 
vhich  class  of  Churches  harmonize  in  most,  if  not  all,  that 
onstitutes  the  fellowship  of  Christ's  people  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 
"  Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order,"  is  a  Divine 
njunction  impressed  on  me,  both  by  the  Bible  and  the  re- 
igious  influences  under  which  I  was  trained  and  brought 
nto  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Soon  after  my  connection  with  the  Church,  I  was  elect- 
id  the  Superintendant  of  the  Sabbath  School,  and  wheth- 
er it  was  conducted  with  as  much  order  as  it  had  been, 
nd  with  as  much  success  as  could  have  been  expected  un- 
ler  the  direction  of  any  other  member  of  the  Church,  is 
ot  becoming  in  me   to   say  ^  but  when   events   induced 


2 
,e  vol»„,anly,<V-esiSn  that  office   and  |ve    n^sons 

ablicly  in  the    Sehooi.-the  rastoi  k,,.e5sed  thc 

rh0Uy Unapprised  of  my  n tent  on  tore >,  .  ^ 

ichool  .explaining  that although  1  ^  ted  with  tho 

f  interference  and    act  on,    be%       Superintends^,  yet 
onsnltation  cut  co-operation  oi  tli e         I  thatinhis 

,0  was  ^»»l'»    'SS       " ,U    have  acted  as  Super- 
,pinion  no  one  in  the  Chun* cou  ^^  ser_ 

Pendant  with  more  ^«j  r  ,t  v  to  prosper  ;  and  that  he 
,ices  the  School  was  m ore     ke  ly    o  p      P*  wMldlllw 

lesired  me  seriously  to  ™n»uto  t he  s     j  ^  res 

my  resignation.     I  ^weighed  "/eLhis  request,  or  the 
ieW^he0ST^uCfgVrrffimittee,   to  resume  my 

office-         u-     ♦•«„.    measures   were  taken  to  build  a  new 

that  object  I  was  chosen  ch~  bei      tttken  on 

During  the  meeting,  a   vote ^as         h    enterprise-the 

^business  ^nsacflon  t ^^  therewitPh-and  as 

location,  purchase  ot  lots,  01  cu     .  rson    enquired 

-Do  the  ladies  vote  I        i  »  incl  as  soon  as 

This  was  the  ^^^^e'Tiriho^t  of  rising,  the 
presented,  and  as  *«  ^te™<Jfvre.  Suffice  it  to  say.  that 
decision  was  prompt  and  d^e*  d  am  t0  this  moment 
for  this  decision  I  am  responsible,  an  resp0nsible 

fully  satisfied  of  its  eorrectnes   .but  I  am  H^ 

for  the  several  discussions   ha   have  a  in  noin. 

gational  meetings  since  OT*^*8?Jg^tIiiy--an   any  way 
ftance-uve.he.last ;  .^^^enain"  persons 'in  our 
introduced  the  sj  ^Je^a  loss  e    her  for  argument,  rhetoric, 
meet..,,  have  been  at  a ^««g     and  have  appealed  to 
or  eloquence,   to  secure  then    P? f         ,   ^ 
the   Ladies  to  exercise  their      ™»         d  enforced  at  each 
I  have  de    nde  I  my  «r^aH^Vaccordance  with  the 
stase,  by  nev    evidence,  lbaf  *  "."^hich  felllale  influence 
sp4  of*the  ^ble   m  ^sj^-wnch^  ^ 
should  be  exercised-the  practice  m  ^  ^ 

institutions-thereasonand  com«aon  8  u      ain 

looking  at  the  undue  influences  that  may 


an  erroneous  expression  of  the  female  vote,— from  the 
practice  in  many,  if  not  most  of  our  churches  in  the  older 
parts  of  onr  country  where  this  subject  has  been  matured 
more  fully.  And  in  order  to  add  a  little  testimony  here  on 
this  subject,  I  submit  the  following,  to  wit : 

1st.  From  a  work  on  the  office  of  Ruling  Elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  by  Rev.  Samuel  Miller,  D.  D.,  of 
the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton,  which  will  be  gen- 
erally deemed  good  authority  in  the  Old  School  Church. 
On  page  2G4  he  says — 

"  In  this  choice  the  votes  may  be  given  either  viva  voce 
or  by  ballot.  The  latter  method,  however,  is  by  far  the 
most  common,  and  is  evidently  the  most  proper  for  a  vari- 
ety of  reasons,  some  of  which  will  readily  occur  to  every 
enlightened  and  delicate  mind." 

'•Concerning  the  persons  who  are  properly  entitled  to 
vote  in  such  an  election,  there  has  been  some  diversity  of 
opinion.  That  all  the  male  members  of  the  Church,  in 
what  is  called  "  full  communion"  have  this  right,_  there 
can  be  no  question.  In  this  all  are  agreed.  But  it  has 
been  maintained,  not  indeed  with  the  same  unanimity, 
yet  it  is  believed  by  a  large  majority  of  the  most  judicious 
and  enlightened  judges,  and  probably  on  the  most  correct 
principles,  that  all  baptized  members  of  the  Church,  who 
must  of  course  be  regarded  as  subject  to  the  government 
and  discipline  administered  by  these  rulers,  are  entitled  to 
a  voice  in  their  election.  And  where  there  are  female 
heads  of  families,  who  bear  the  relation  of  membership  to 
the  Church,  in  either  of  the  senses  just  mentioned,  and 
who  are  not  represented  by  some  qualified  male  relative  on 
the  occasion,  it  has  been  judged  proper  to  allow  them  to 
vote  in  the  choice  of  Ruling  Elders,  as  is  generally  the 
case  in  the  choice  of  a  Pastor.  " 

M  There  seems,  however,  to  be  some  good  reason  for  re- 
stricting the  right  to  vote  for  Ruling  Elders  within  narrow- 
er bounds  than  are  commonly  assigned  in  the  choice  of  a 
Pastor.  In  that  choice,  in  most  congregations,  all  pew- 
holders,  and  all  6tated  worshippers  who  are  stated  contribu- 
tors to  the  support  of  the  Pastor,  in  their  just  proportion, 
whether  baptized  or  not,  whether  willing  to  submit  to  the 
exercise  of  discipline  or  not,    and    whether   of  fair   moral 


character  or  not,  are  considered  entitled  to  vote.     But,   in 
the  election  of  a  Pastor,   there   is  one  security  against  an 
improper  choice,  which  does  not  exist  in  the  case  ot  a  Ru- 
ling Elder;  namely,  that  the  call  must    be    submitted    to 
the  Pr-sbytery,  and  receive  the  sanction  of  that  body,  be- 
fore it  can  be  prosecuted.     Whereas  no  such  security  ex- 
ists in  the  case  of  a  Ruling  Elder.  "  nu„rX 
«  Accordingly,    the    General   Assembly    ot  the  Church 
which  met  in  1829,  in    answer  to  a  question    solemnly  re- 
ferred to  it  by  one  of  the  Western    Presbyteries,    adopted 
and  sent  to  the  Churches  the  following  judgment  m    rela- 
tion to  the  subject  :   "  Ought  an  unbaptized  person  who  yet 
pays  his  proportion  for  the  support  of  a  congregation  to  be 
permitted  to  Vote  for  Ruling  Elders  !"     "  It  is  the  opiniot 
of  this  general  assembly,  that  the  office  of  Ruling   Elde. 
is  an  office  in  the  Church  of  Christ:  that   Ruling  Elders 
as  such,  according  to  our  confession  of  I  aith,  Book  1,   or 
Government,  Chapter   5,    are  the    representatives  ot  the 
people,  by  whom  they  are  chosen,   tor  the  purpose    of  ex 
ercising  government  and  discipline  in  the  Kingdom    of  on 
Lord  Jesus  Christ;  that  the  discipline   lawfully  exercise, 
by  them,  is  the  discipline  exercised  through  them  by  thei 
constituents,  in  whose  name,  and  by  whose  authority  the; 
act  in  all  that  they  do.     To  suppose  therefore  that  an  un 
baptized  person  not  belonging    to   the   visible  Kingdom 
the  Redeemer,  might  vote  at   the   election   of  Ruling  El 
ders,  would  be  to  establish  the  principle,  that  the  childre 
of  this  world,  might  through  their  representatives  exercis 
discipline  in  the  Church  of  God  ;   which  is  manifestly  ur 
scriptural,  and  contrary  to  the    standards  of  our   Churc 
Resolved,  therefore,  that  the  question  in  the  said  overtut 
be  answered  in  the  negative, "                     . 

2d.  From  a  work  of  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  Pastor  ot  tl 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  exnil 
iting  the  rules  and  regulations  in  that  Church.      On  pati 

"Rule  5.  By  the  resolutions  in  the  Preamble,  the  ele 
tion  of  Pastor,  Clerk,  &c,  devolves  on  the  mate  pewholae 
generally.  In  all  such  elections,  two  thirds  of  all  the  mo 
pewholders  shall  be  present,  and  four-fifths  of  that  nur 
ber  shall  be  required  to  make  an  election." 


"Rule  7.  The  spiritual  affairs  of  the  Church,  sucli  as 
the  election  and  ordination  of  Elders,  and  all  matters  and 
things  growing  out  of  the  same,  shall  be  governed  exclu- 
sively by  the  Pastor,  Session,  and  male  communicants  in 
good  standing,  when  not  in  contravention  to  the  established: 
forms  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the    United    States." 

3d.  From  a  report  of  the  proceedings  of  a  congregational 
meeting  of  Rev.  T.  H.  Skinner,  D.  D's.  Church  in  the 
citv  of  New  York,  in  the  New  York  Observer  of  Feb.  26, 
1848— 

''Moved  by  the  Hon.  B.  F.  Butler  :  The  Rev.  Thomas 
H.  Skinner,  *D.  D.,  pastor  of  this  Church  and  congrega- 
tion, having  been  appointed  Professor  of  Sacred  Rhetoric, 
&c,  and  having  expressed  his  desire  to  resign  the  pastoral 
office  ;  and  the  male  members  of  this  Church  and  congrega- 
tion being  now  duly  convened  in  public  meeting,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  acting  on  his  request,  and  having  implored-  on  their 
deliberations  the  Divine  guidance  and  blessing;  they  have 
unanimously  adopted  the  following  resolutions." 

These  must  suffice  for  want  of  room  and  access  to 
other  proper  proof  on  this  subject ;  but  I  trust  enough  will 
be  gathered  to  shield  me  from  having,  in  the  decision  re- 
ferred to,  given  any  just  ground  for  offence,  or  for  the 
subsequent  evil  effects  in  our  society,  growing  out  of 
this  and  other,  as  senseless,  causes. 

Besides  these  differences  in  our  congregational  meetings 
there  were  Sessional  differences — probably  in  some  meas- 
ure influenced  by,  but  not  necessarily  connected  with  the 
other. 

A  religious  excitement  of  considerable  extent  was  expe- 
rienced in  the  church  referred  to,  some   two    years   since, 
when  the  question  ot  qualifications  lor  membership    was  a 
fruitful  subject  of  argument,  and  unfortunately  for  unanim- 
ity, I  was  obliged  to  differ  with  my  brethren  as  to  the  ex- 
perience young  converts  ought  to  pass  through  in  order  to 
their  admission  to  the  church,  both  as  regarded  the  safety 
:  of  the  convert,  and  the  church  ;  the  experience  since,  may 
have  produced  a  change    of  opinion   on   this   and  kindred 
1 1  subjects.     I  objected  to  the  admission  of  persons  under  the 
I   excitement  in  a  revival,  on  the  next  da}'  after  they    enter- 
tained a  hope,  or  at  any   very  short   period  thereafter — 


maintaining  the  necessity  of  a  reasonable  time,  that  the  in- 
dividuals might  have  anop  port  unity  to  test  their  own  feel- 
ings, and  whether  they  had  indeed  experienced  a  change 
of  heart.  Hasty  admissions  I  objected  to  as  unsafe  to  all 
concerned,   but  was  overiuled. 

The  question  too,  of  frequent  communion  seasons  in  or- 
dei  to  admit  any  one  who  might  entertain  a  hope,  I  objected 
to  as  uncalled  for,  either  for  the  good  of  the  church,  or  the 
convert,  or  to  secure  the  person  to  our  church— for  on  the 
latter  point  I  maintained  the  principle  of  letting  every  one 
be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind,  where  he  wishes  to 
join  God's  people.  The  morbid  sensibility  that  would  urge 
any  one,  to  extraordinary  means  to  get  into  the  church,  and 
partake  of  the  communion,  ought  in  my  opinion  to  be  en- 
lightened on  that  subject.  However  delightful  and  profit- 
able it  may  be  to  engage  in  this  command  of  our  Saviour, 
"As  oft  as've  do  this,  do  it  in  remembrance  of  me,"  there 
are  other  acts  of  devotion,  and  means  of  spiritual  comtort 
to  the  enlightened  pious  heart  to  which  it  can  resort,  until 
in  the  regular  and  proper  order,  an  opportunity  is  afforded 
to  partake  of  the  emblems  of  our  Saviour's  death. 

Within  a  few  months  past  a  most  serious  procedure 
was  in  the  course  of  consummation,  which  I  allude  to  here 
for  the  double  purpose  of  showing  how  I  have  been  brought 
to  differ  with  my  brethren,  and  as  a  warning  to  such  other 
church  sessions  as  may  see  this  narrative,  and  have  like 
cases  to  adiust.  , 

1  will  first  quote  the  directions  given  in  the  Book  oi  JJisci- 
pline  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  then  give  the   case. 

"  Chapter  4,  Sec.  5.  When  a  judicatory  enters  on  the 
consideration  of  a  crime  or  crimes  alleged,  no  more  shall 
be  done,  at  the  first  meeting,  unless  by  consent  of  parties, 
than  to  give  the  accused  a  copy  of  each  charge, _  with 
the  names  of  the  witnesses  to  support  it;  and  to  cite  al. 
concerned  to  appear  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  judicatory. 
to  have  the  matter  fully  heard  and  decided.  Notice  shal; 
be  given  to  the  parties  concerned,  at  least  ten  days  previ 
ously  to  the  meeting  of  the  judicatory." 

"  Sec  10.  When  an  accused  person,  or  a  witness,  reiu 
ses  to  obey  the  citation,  he  shall  be  cited  a  second  time 
and  if  he  still  continue  to  refuse,  he  shall  be  excluded  iron 


the  communion  of  the  Church,  for  his  contumacy,  until  he 

repent."  .  .  . 

'•Sec.  11.  Although,  on  the  first  citation,  the  person 
cited  shall  declare  in  writing,  or  otherwise,  his  fixed  deter- 
mination not  to  ohev  it;  this  declaration  shall,  in  no  case, 
induce  the  judicatory  to  deviate  from  the  regular  course 
prescribed  for  citations.  Thev  shall  proceed  as  if  no  such 
declaration  had  been  made.  The  person  cited  may  after- 
ward alter  his  mind." 

Now  for  the  case.  Two  members  of  the  church,  and 
both  from  among  the  young  converts,  hastily  admitted 
some  two  years  a^o,  weie  charged  with  a  violation  of  the 
rules  of  the  church,  and  subject  to  citation  under  the  above 
ecclesiastical  law.  It  was  'deemed  by  some  members  of 
the  session  that  it  was  highly  important  an  example  should 
be  made  before  the  then  approaching  communion,  when  it. 
was  proposed  the  example  should  be  made,  in  order  to  de- 
ter others  who  might  become  guilty  of  like  offences. 

A  committee  to\vait  on  these  persons  was  proposed,  as 
a  first  step  in  order  to  bring  them  to  repentance,  or  such 
promise  of  a  reformation  as  should  prevent  the  necessity  of 
a  citation  at  all. 

I  proposed  that  the  minister  in  charge  should  be  one  ot 
the  committee,  that  by  his  ministerial  influence  .we  might 
more  likely  produce  the  change  desired;  but  the  pruden* 
tial  policy  of  avoiding  so  faithful  a  discharge  ot  duty, 
lest  he  might  become  unpopular  with  the  young  persons, 
prevailed^and  he  was  excused.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  his 
own  views  were  in  accordance  with  this  course, 

A  committee  of  two  were  appointed.  Their  report  in  re- 
lation to  one  of  the  accused  was  such  that  the  promises  of 
amendment  made,  caused  the  case  to  be  dismissed. 

The  other  case  was  more  embarrassing.  No  satisfactory 
promises  were  made,  nor  did  the  individual  feel  worthy  to 
«>w«o;r,  as  a  church  member,  and  would    prefer    a  dismis- 


remain 
sion. 


On  this  report  of  the  case,  several  members.  I  think  all 
that  were  present,  except  mysell,  were  disposed-to  proceed 
at  once,  without  citation,  trial,  or  further  effort  to  restore  a 
backsliding  member— to  dissolve  the  membership— or  to 
suit  the  after  part  of  this  narrative,  to  cause  an  arbitrary 
unlaioful,  and  unsafe  "Resignation*  of  membership, 


8 

;I  opposed  it  on  several  grounds — among  them, 

1st.  We  were  expressly  prohibited  by  our  constitutional 
book  of  tli*cinlinp. 

•2d.  That  the  character  of  the  young  member — the  feel- 
ings of  the  relatives,  and  above  all  the  eternal  interests  of 
the  member,  called  for  further  effort  to  bnn<x  about  a  re- 
formation, if  the  member  was  only  a  backslider  ;  and  upon 
the  principle  that  the  member  never  had  been  converted, 
the  occasion  should  be  used  as  a  means  of  grace  to  bring 
about  such  a  change  of  heart  as  to  rende-  the  member  a 
true  christian.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  neither  the  con- 
stitutional law,  nor  all  these  serious  considerations  weighed 
to  alter  the  determined  wishes  of  the  committee,  or  minis- 
ter present.  It  was  urged  that,  at  least,  two  of  the  absent 
members  agreed  in  the  opinion  that  it  was  lawful  and  best 
to  cut  off  the  member.  I  objected  to  the  reported  opinions 
of  members  who  were  absent,  as  influencing  those  present, 
for,  those  absent  might  be  induced  to  change  their  views  in 
a  consultation  with,  and  in,  an  organised  session  for  so  se- 
rious an  object.  I  suggested  a  postponement  to  another 
time,  when  a  fuller  session  might  be  present,  but  was  Op- 
posed in  this,  as  unnecessary,  as  the  decision  must  be  the 
samo,  with  the  known  opinions  of  those  absent. 

It  was  with  much  reluctance  a  postponement  could  be 
secured  ;  and  only,  or  at  least,  after  I  had  stated  I  should 
solemnly  protest  against  their  act,  that  it  was  effected. — 
Well,  trace  the  issue.  At  the  next  meeting,  with  two  ad- 
ditional members,  the  minister  asked  one  of  the  members 
absent  at  the  last  meeting,  his  views  of  the  case.  He  gave 
them ;  and  no  two  men  could  scarcely  go  over  the  ground 
in  review  of  the  law,  and  necessity  of  citing  the  member, 
than  I  had  done  previously.  Not  a  lisp,  was  it  necessary 
for  me  to  make,  nor  did  one  of  the  three,  who  were  present 
at  the  former  meeting,  interpose  one  objection  to  the  cita- 
tion. It  was  ordered,  and  instead  of  condemnation,  with- 
out trial,  the  opportunity  was  open  for  the  use  of  means  for 
■the  restoration  of  the  member.  Trace  the  result:  The 
first  citation  was  not  obeyed  :  a  second  citation  was  served, 
and  while  the  session  were  considering  the  case,  and  about 
to  determine  it  by  a  vote,  the  member  actually  appeared. 
The  interview  was  such  as  to  suspend  a  decision, and  hopes 
were  entertained  of  a  favorable  issue.      Up   to  the  time  of 


ny  ceasing  to  act,  the  case,  so  far  as  I  had  any  knowledge, 
vas  likely  to  result  favorably. 

So  much  I  have  thought  proper  to  say  on  this  case,  ia 
>rder  to  show  some  of  the  causes  by  which  we  differed, 
tnd  the  danger  of  acting  without  a  careful  consideration  of 
he  nature  of  dealing  with  the  character  and  spiritual  in- 
erests  of  members  by  a  sessional  court. 

About  four  months  since  a  meeting  was  called  to  elect  a 
Pastor,  and  the  candidate  not  being  much  known,  and  an 
opportunity  of  hearing  him  being  too  limited  to  satisfy  all, 
;hathe  was  the  most  suitable  person  we  could  procure;  on 
i  motion  to  elect  a  Pastor,  I  was  so  far  successful  in  sug- 
gesting several  amendments,  as  finally  to  prevent  an  elec- 
ion  as  Pastor,  but  securing  an  opportunity  to  employ  him 
>ix  months. 

At  this  meeting  the  ladies  were  again  appealed  to,  to 
/ote — and  a  motion  made  to  that  effect,  which  I  had  not 
ihe  slightest  agency  in  intreducing — but  when  brought  for- 
ward, I  maintained  my  former  position  on  that  subject — 
i-vhen  the  vote  was  taken,  by  acclamation,  instead  of  by 
aallot,  no  one,  not  even  myself,  voted  against  it,  and  it 
was  recorded  unanimous  ;  but  it  is  far  from  the  fact,  that 
it  is  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  congregation. 

On  the  evening  of  March  13th,  another  meeting  was 
called  for  the  election  of  Pastor — the  candidate  being  the 
same  as  before. 

An  informal  vote  was  taken  by  ballot, -simply  to  teet  the 
state  of  feeling  previous  to  any    discussion  or  exciting  oc 
mrrence.     The  result  was  68  for,  and  24  against  going  in 
;o  the  election.     Males  present  about  30  to  35. 

The  minority  being  so  large,  a  pause  ensued;  the  meet 
ng  apparently  not  discerning  whether  to  go  forward  or 
backward.  At  this  juncture,  without  questioning  the  right 
of  ladies  to  vote,  I  suggested,  as  this  was  informal,  and 
merely  for  information,  that  the  sense  of  the  males  be  ta- 
ken separately.  The  moderator,  a  clergyman,  and  an- 
other who  was  favorable  to  the  candidate,  thought  it  prop- 
er if  desired,  and  saw  no  objection  to  it;  but  others  thought 
differently  and  opened  a  debate,  about  the  rights  and  qual- 
ifications of  ladies  to  vote.  I  adduced  the  cases  of  the 
Church  in  Charleston  and  New  York    as  evidence  of  the 


10 

practice  there,  and  that  the  ladies  were  probably  as  much 
respected  in  those  places  as  here. 

The  person  who  made  the  motion  at  the  former  meeting 
was  slightly  excited  that  the  question  was  raised  after  the 
motion  he  had  made — it  will  be  observed  that  the  question]*.' 
of  the  right  to  vote  was  not  touched — but  in  this  incident-  J 
al  way,  I  was  instrumental  in  its  introduction  into  discus- 
sion, but  never  before  since  the  first  decision.  So  I  cannot 
be  chargeable  with  agitating  this  question. 

I  took  the  liberty  ot  saying  to   the    person    referred    to," 
"  that  his  having  made  the  motion  that  ladies  vote,  consti- '' 
tuted  no  reason  why  I  should  not  allude  to  it  if  I  saw  pro- 
per. "     This,  with  the  remark  that  when  he  made  the  mo- 
tion, the  only  argument  he  used  in  its  favor  was,   that  "in 
some  parts  of  the  country   it    was    advocated    that   ladies 
ought  to  vote  at  all  our  popular  elections,  "    which  seemed 
as  though  he  favored  Fourierism,  which  he  probably  would! 
not  like  to  admit,  may  have  led  to  my  being  charged  with 
a  "high  handed  dictatorial  course,  "    by  one  whose   letter 
I  probably  shall  copy  in  this  narrative. 

The  subsequent  votes  on  the  election  of  Pastor  was  as 
ibllows,  viz: 

Shall  we  proceed  to  elect  a  Pastor  ?  On  rising— Male aj 
Yes,  18  ;  no  females  up.  Against  the  election,  Males  11  : 
no  females. 

On  the  final  vote  by  ballot,  the  candidate  ieceived  74 
Totes  ;  against  him  31  votes— a  minority  of  one  third— and 
only  about  on«  third,  to  one  half,  of  the  congregation  being 
present. 

This  minority  being  so  large — and  I  believing  it  unsafe? 
to  settle  him — announced  how  I  voted,  and  took  occasion 
to  direct  the  attention  to  tile  peculiar  state  of  the  interests 
involved  in  further  action.  The  feelings  of  a  majority 
were  to  be  respected — the  interests  of  the  candidate  were 
to  be  suitably  protected — and  the  rights  of  the  minority 
were  to  be  considered  ;  also,  the  church  in  its  varied  in- 
terests was  to  be  contemplated  with  solicitude  and  mode- 
ration. 1  then  took  a  review  of  some  of  the  events  refer 
red  to  here — gave  some  suggestions  about  the  duties  o 
Elders  to  the  people,  and  of  the  people  to  them— complain 
ed  that  events  had  been  allowed   to  exert    such  an  inftaj 


]•; 

nee  among  some  of  our  members— of  the  improper  ex- 
citement on  the  subjects  on  which  we  entertained  differen- 
ces of  opinion ;  and  that  my  own  religious  feelings  had 
>een  wounded,  and  my  official  relation  in  some  measure 
ndangeredin  its  proper  usefulness,  by  the  misguided  ac- 
1011  and  prejudice  arising  from  the  incidents  referred  to,  in 
hemselves  not  sufficient  to  excuse  it.  In  this  review  of 
he  past,  I  proposed  that  one  and  all  should  endeavor  to 
mbibe  the  true  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  overlook  all  past 
lifferenccs  ;  and  having  left  our  old  church  and  for  the  first 
ime  met  in  the  new  one  in  a  congregational  meeting,  we 
hould  endeavor  to  act  under  the  present  emergency  in  a 
pint  of  Christian  compromise. 
I  therefore  suggested  to  the  majority  not -to  urge  prose- 
uting  a  call  under  so  large  a  minority,  and  gave  reasons, 
nd  examined  the  separate  interests  involved  ;  and  then 
lso  suggested  if  a  motion  should  be  made,  not  to  prose- 
ute  the  call,  that  the  minority  should  unite  with  the  ma- 
>nty  and  invite  the  candidate  to  remain  a  longer  period— 
ne  year  from  the  time  he  was  originally  invited.  This 
3urse  was  acceded  to,  and  then  the  way  was  open  for 
aim  reflection,  neither  party  had  entirely  lost  their  wish- 
i;  a  submissive,  teachable,  humble  spirit,  exercised  by 
I,  might  have  resulted  in  unanimity,  p-ace  and  prosper- 
But  alas  !  I  had  been  the  speaking  instrument  of  the 
unority,  and  the  leading  ones  in  the  majority  were  badly 
jap  pointed  ;  what  had  failed  under  majorities  was  gain- 
i  by  the  minority,  under  the  wise  provision  of  the  consti- 
ttion  of  our  church.  The  case  had  now  assumed  an  as- 
fct  that  decided  me  to  cease  acting  as  Ruling  Elder.  I 
id  previously  decided  it  desirable,  and  should  have  done 
'  or  eft  the  church  for  mv  own  peace  of  mind,  but  for  a 
sinchnation  to  change  or  take  the  novel  course  of  ceasing 
act  in  my  official  relation. 

That  my  official  relation  had  not  suffered  in  any  res- 
fct,  except  from  the  few  referred  to,  I  am  fully  satisfied, 
e^en  UP  t0  the  time  of  my  resignation  of  active  ser- 
fc,  I  have  no  idea  or  belief,  that  in  my  official  oharac- 
r  1  had  become  unacceptable  to  any  considerable  num- 
r,  even  with  all  the  influence  a  few  could  use    to  effect 


12 

such  a  result.  But  I  assure  the  few  to  whom  I  refer  that 
I  was  no  longer  willing  to  exercise  the  office  ol  Kuling 
Elder,  and  sent  the  session  the  following  notice,  to  wit  : 

March  16,  1848. 
S H Esq. 

My  Dear  Brother :—  .  ^  f 

The  prayer  meeting  last   evening   I  enjoyed    a,   one  ol 

rather  more  than  usual  interest,  and  thought   brother  H  s. 

remarks   very  good,    but  on   some    points   unusually  em- 

Phfextremely  regret  that  past  occurrences  in  our  church 
have  had  a  tendency  to  disturb  the  kind  relation  and  sym- 
pathy that  ought  to  exist  among  the  ™?*^*"™* 
and  in  the  congregation.  My  own  religious  feelings  have 
been  grieved  ;  and  fearing  a  continuance  of  similai  results, 
and  desiring  peace  of  mind,  more  calm  enjoyment  in  my 
rectus  exigence,  and  a  deeper  spiritua  h ty  it  has  been 
impressed  on  mv  mind  very  strongly,  that  I  could  bettej 
secure  the  results  desired  by  omitting  to  meet  with  the 
session  for  the  present,  or  taking  any  responsible  actio* r 
our  church  affairs,  except  as  a  private  member,  until  a  dil 
ferent  state  of  things  shall  appear  to  render  it  moie  clear. 

^Be^ood  enough  to  convey  this  conclusion  to  the  othe 
brethren  of  the  session,  and  allow  me  to  assure  you  I  hav 
no  feelings  towards  any  one  of  the session  or  any  membe 
of  the  church,  inconsistent  with  the  truest  Christian  M 
lovvship,  however  I  may  disapprove  of  the  wrwpjH 
and  opinions  held  on  various  subjects,  the  discussion  c 
which  has  tended  to  the  present  state  ol  things. 
Very  respectfully,    lours, 

J  J H R 

About  a  week  after  this  notice,  the  member  of  sesskj 
to  whom  it  was  sent,  called  and  conversed  as  to .the .  eztri 
I  viewed  the  notice.  He  also  informed  me  hat  a  ^ 
was  sent  to  the  session  some  days  after  my  notice,  reqiitt 
ing  my  resignation.  The  following  is  a  copy— the  *  nter 
nameyi  omit  out  of  delicacy  to  his  feelings,  trusting 
will  in  due  time  see  cause  for  Christian  fellowship  .in  I 
feelings  to  me.  as  he  may  be  assured    I  have   to   him. 


13 

believe  he  has  no  valid  ground  for  any  thing  short  of  it  nor 
do  I  view  his  letter  as  a  bar  to  my  respectful  regard  to  him 
as  a  Christian  brother  whenever  he  shall  manifest  a  simi- 
lar sympathy : 

Copy  of  his  Letter. 

"  To  the  Session  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 

»•  Gentlemen  : — The  course  pursued  by  Elder  J— — 

H R at  our  congregational  meetings,  in  attributing 

improper  motives  to  members  of  the  church— his  high 
handed  dictatorial  course— destroys  his  usefulness.  Many 
of  us  think  we  cannot  be  profited  by  him  as  a  leader.  He 
is  in  my  opinion  unacceptable  in  his  official  character  to 
a  majority  of  the  congregation.  I  have  therefore  to  ask 
that'vou  renuest  him  to  resign  his  office  of  Elder  which 
he  holds  in  the  church.  I  am  firmly  convinced  the  peace 
and  harmony  of  the  members  depends  upon  his  compliance.. 
Respectfully  Yours, 

"       A H 

March  16,  1848. 

I  make  two  remarks  on  this  letter — 
1st.  The  charge  of  my  having  "  attributed  improper  mo- 
tives to  members  of  the  church  at  our  congregational  meet- 
ings, "  is  wholly  erroneous.  I  never  entertained  the  belief 
that  dishonest  motives  were  impelling  any  member  ;  but 
only  improper  action  and  management,  in  securing  their 
wishes,  without  a  proper  christian  regard  to  the  wishes, 
feelings,  and  rights  of  others.  '  To  this  end  1  did  intend  to 
complain,  and  at  the  last  congregational  meeting  did  so,  in. 
as  proper  a  manner  as  I  deemed  my  official  relation  to  the 
church  called  for  ;  hoping  a  reference  in  that  manner  would 
answer  to  correct  a  censurable  practice  with  a  very  select 
few  in  the  church. 

2d.  It  is  surpassing  strange  that  the  writer  of  this  letter 
should  think  he  could  not  "  be  profited  by  him  (me)  as  a 
leader."  One  who  rarely — scarcely  ever,  enters  our 
prayer  meetings,  either  on  Sabbath  morning,  or  during  the. 
week,  and  who  was  never  known  to  take  the  least  part  m 
those  exercises,  to  my  knowledge — it  is  strange,  I  repeat, 
to  understand  how  he  could  mean  to  apply  his  thoughts  on 


14 

this  point.  If  he  rarely  came  within  the  influence  of  the 
leaders  in  our  religious  meetings — how  could  it  be  said  that 
he  could  not  be  profited  by  any  one  leader,  the  one  to  whom 
he  refers  having  been  delicately  careful  not  to  lead  in  those 
meetings  as  often  as  a  regular  rotation  would  have  caused 
him  1  but  does  he  mean  my  leading  the  mind  in  prayer  to 
the  throne  of  Grace  would  be  unprofitable  ?  of  this  he  could 
better  have  judged  by  more  experience  in  the  exercise.  I 
had  supposed  a  truly  spiritual  feeling  in  a  christian  could 
forget  trifles  when  it  was  endeavoring,  with  kindred  spir- 
its to  unite  in  childlike  supplication  to  the  Throne  of  Grace 
for  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the  waiting  worship- 
pers. 

But  perhaps  it  was  in  our  congregational  meetings  he 
thought  he  could  not  be  profited— for~be  it  remembered,  he 
made  the  motion  that  "  Ladies  vote,  "  and  to  which  I  had 
incidentally  caused  a  reference.  If  this  was  intended  as 
the  unprofitable  part  of  my  official  relation  to  him,  it  may 
be  well  to  apprise  him  that  the  resignation  he  seemed  rathe'r 
"  dictatorial  "  in  demanding,  even  if  secured,  would  not 
have  in  the  slightest  degree  interfered  with  my  relations  to 
him,  or  others,  in  our  congregational  meetings.  When  he 
meets  me  there,  it  is  not  in  my  official  character  as  Elder 
-^-although  on  my  part  it  is  ever  becoming  to  consider  that 
character — but  he  meets  me  as  one  of  the  congregation. and 
if  I  have  a  better  cause  to  maintain  than  he,  or  think  I  can 
suggest  any  desirable  modification  in  any  thing  he  or  oth- 
ers propose,  I  shall  feel  a  perfect   right  to  act  accordingly. 

A  member  of  the  congregation  informed  me  that,  some 
days  after  my  notice  to  the  session,  a  lady  effort  for  names, 
to  petition  for  my  resignation  was  making,  but  they  met 
with  so  little  encouragement  on  calling  with  their  petition, 
that  he  supposed  they  had  given  up  the  enterprise,  and  I 
am  led  to  infer  this  is  the  case,  for  a  committee  of  two  from 
the  Session  calling  on  me  on  the  27th  March,  said  none 
had  been  presented— they  thought  it  had  been  given  up. 

This  committee  called  to  know  my  views  as  to  the  ex- 
tent and  meaning  of  my  notice  of  16th  March,  when  I  de- 
livered them  the  following  letter  prepared  to  send  the  ses- 
sion, viz  : 


15 

March  27,  1848. 
S H ,  Esq; 

[For  the  Session.] 
Dear  Brother : — 

I  return  the  volume  borrowed  of  vou.  "  Miller  on  R«- 
ling  Elders.  "  He  says,  on  page  274, an  elder  may,  "Front 
ill  health,  or  for  other  reasons,  cease,  if  he  think  proper,  to 
perfonn  the  active  duties  of  the  office.  " 

On  page  298  :  "When  an  Elder  thus  wishes  to  resign- 
his  station,  he  is  to  give  official  notice  of  his  desire  to  the 
Session  ;  they  are  to  declare,  if  they  think  proper,  their  ac- 
ceptance of  his  resignation  :  the  whole  transaction  is  to  be 
distinctly  recorded  in  the  Sessional  Book  ;  and  report  made 
to  the  Presbytery,  that  the  individual  in  question  has  ceas- 
ed to-be  an  acting  member  of  that  Session.  " 

Further  directions  in  the  same  chapter,  and  to  the  same 
end  are  given,  which  clearly  indicate  the  simple  course  to 
pursue  in  relation  to  ray  notice  of  16th  of  March,  that  I 
had  voluntarily  ceased  to  act  tor  the  present  as  Elder. 

Allow  me  in  conclusion  to  say  that,  this  volume  ought  to 
be  read,  and  studied  by  the  Eldership, and  its  heavenly  in- 
culcations urged  on  the  members  of  our  church,  by  the 
moral  power  and  influence  that  a  Session  ought  to  possess, 
and  exercise.  My  desire  is  that  your  councils  will  in  fu- 
ture be  guided  by  union,  wisdom,  and  grace,  and' so  mani- 
fested that  the  people  may  feel  there  is  a  moral  influence 
at  the  head  of  our  church  affairs,  that  ought  to  be  looked  to 
as  a  guide  for  all  movements,  in  which  the  spiritual  or  pe- 
cuniary interests  of  the  church  are- concerned. 

With  these  principles,  and  qualifications  to  carry  them 
out,  with  the  energy  the  spirit's  influence  is  calculated  to 
inspire,  when  there  is  union  and  harmony  in  council  for  the 
best  welfare  of  Zion,  we  may  hope  for  better  results  in  the 
moral  and  spiritual  condition  of  our  church  than  seems  to 
have  been  the  case  fur  some  time,  and  tending  to  worse  in 
the  future. 

The  charge  of  a  "  High  handed  dictatorial  course  '*  in  cur 
congregational  meetings  contained  in  a  letter  sent  the  ses- 
sion, signed  by  one  individual  in  relation  to  myself,  I    pso^ 


1G 

test  against  as  wholly  fallacious  ;  and  object  to  other  parts 
as  unsound  and  containing  a  request  strongly  spiced  with 
•dictation,  giving  his  opinion  as  evidence  to  sustain  so  seri- 
ous an  act  as  he  desired. 

That  I  ha-ve  been,  and  am  in  my  feelings  and  principles 
strongly  opposed  to  such  a  "  course  "  I  frankly  admit,  and 
also  admit  that  the  mind,  of  loose  observers  may  have  mis- 
-construcd  an  opposition  to  arbitrary  and  dictatorial  move- 
ments, as  the  very  essence  of  dictation  itself!  My  feel- 
dngs  and  principles  are  for  open  frank  discussion,  and  fair 
•open  action  in  all  church  interests,  that  all  things  may  be 
•done  in  a  way  to  avoid  suspicion  of  management,  and  that 
a  hearty  concurrence  shall  be  secured  by  as  many  of  the 
congregation  as  possible  ;  then  after  this  course  is  pursued, 
il  go  heartily  for  the  decision  of  a  majority,  except  in  some 
peculiar  case  where  the  rights  of  minorities  claim,  on.  the 
.principles  of  christian  concession  and  brotherly  love,  that 
■the  majority  shall  not  press  their  wishes  unreasonably — 
without  essential  detriment  to  them— upon  the  minority,  to 
ttheir  certain  discomfort. 

Such  a  case  may  arise  in  the  choice  of  a  pastor,  and  the 
•constitution  ol  our    church,    wisely    provides  for   such    an 
event. 
.I  close  by  an  extract  from  "  Miller,  "  page  299. 
»  No  church  ought  to  be  burthened  by    the  incumbency 
of  an  unpopular  and  obstinate  Elder,  who  instead  of  edify- 
ing, is  injuring  it.     And  on  the  other  hand,  no  innocent  and 
really  exemplary  Elder  ought  to  be   abandoned  to  the  fury 
of  popular  prejudice,  and  permitted  to  be    trampled    under 
feet,  when,  perhaps  he  ought  to  be  sustained  and   honored 
for  his  fidelity.  " 

Most  respectluly  and  truly  yours, 

J- H R . 

On  the  28th  of  March  I  received   the  following  notice, 
wiz  : 

March  28,  1848. 

;Mr.  J H R : 

It  becomes  my  duty  to  inform  you  that  the  tender  of 
resignation  of  your  office  as  Elder  in  this  church  has  been 
accepted  by  the  Session,  and  placed  upon  record,  and  that 


17 

the  same  will  be  reported  to  Presbytery,  to  meet  at 

on  the  4th  day  of  April  next. 

By  order  of  the  Session, 

S N — -,  Clerk. 

How  far  the  Session  would  have  gone  under  the  request 
of  one  petitioner,  and  a  few  out-door  expressions— had  my 
resignation  not  have  been  explained,  as  all  in  effect  that 
could  be  given— namely,  ceasing  to  act  for  the  pr°sent — is 
known  better  to  them  than  me  ;  but  I  drew  from  the  com- 
mittee that  if  I  did  not  view  it  as  a  resignation,  they  were 
authorized  to  request  it.  Now  although  I  respect  individ- 
ually the  members  of  Session  in  their  persons,  I  cannot  be- 
lieve they  took  the  enlightened  view  of  the  nature  of  the 
solemn  relation  they  were  dealing  with,  that  they  ought — 
and  such  as  a  little  study  of  "  Miller  on  Ruling  Elders,  " 
would  have  given  them,  or  such  of  them  as  were  prepared 
for  such  a  request. 

One  of  the  committee,  on  my  enquiring  on  what  ground 
they  were  prepared  to  make  such  a  request,  stated  he  had 
heard  nothing  expressed  but  respect  for  me  as  Elder- — 
While  the  other  seemed  at  a  loss  to  explain,  but  when  1 
referred  to  the  one  petitioner,  and  the  rumored  failure  of 
the  lady  effort,  as  too  slight  evidence  to  warrant  such  a 
"  plenipotentiary  "  power  as  seemed  to  have  been  delega- 
ted to  the  two  brethren.  When  it  appeared  as  though  I 
was  likely  to  be  too  severe  in  my  rebuke  for  such  conduct, 
he  finally  stated  that  there  Were  as  many  as  twelve  or 
fourteen  who  thought  I  ought  to  resign  !  Can  it  be, thought 
I — can  it  be,  that  the  brethren,  although  I  have  differed 
with  them  on  important  principles  of  sessional  practice, 
have  become  so  far  lost  to  the  sacredness  of  their  position 
in  such  a  juncture,  as  to  presume  thus  to  hazard  the  use- 
fulness and  influence  of  a  brother  Elder  on  so  slight  a 
pretext, — and  even  that  the  result  in  a  good  degree  of  dis- 
appointed success  in  the  election  of  a  pastor  ? 

This  state  of  things  must  be  my  excuse  for  unfolding 
some  of  the  causes  that  have  been  operating  to  prepare  for 
such  an  issue. 

Every  member  of  session  may  have  so  participated  in 
the  discussions  at  our  congregational  meetings,  as  to  have 
entertained  precisely  the  same  feelings  of  the  one  petitioner 


18 

— whose  letter  I  have  transcribed — and  a  few  more  with 
them.  But  does  not  the  question  arise,  from  what  has  this 
excited  opinion  arisen  ?  is  it  for  discussing  questions  on 
which  there  may  be  an  honest  difference  of  opinion,  and  in 
those  discussions,  if  he  produces  more  reason,  argument, 
and  evidence  than  others,  and  if  he  is  rudely  answered  in 
debate,  and  has  ability  and  courage  to  defend  himself  and 
his  cause,  must  he  on  that  account. — when  in  the  language 
of"  Miller,  "  page  298,  "  in  a  moment  of  prejudice  or  pas- 
sion from  the  popular  feeling,  without  any  just  ground  or 
blame  on  his  part "  be  requested  by  his  brethren  of  the 
session  to  resign  !  I  have  not  so  learned  the  principles  of 
the  Gospel,  nor  the  common  principles  of  common  sense. — 
Supposing  for  argument  sake,  I  had  so  debated  questions 
in  the  Session,  or  in  the  congregational  meetings,  that  my 
brethren  feared  I  would  mar  the  peace  of  Zion,  or  become 
unacceptable  in  my  official  character ;  would  it  not  have 
been  their  first  duty  to  admonish  in  private,  and  in  our  Ses- 
sional meetings  calmly  examine  the  tendency  of  any  in- 
discretions in  debate  or  otherwise  ?  No  such  course  was 
ever  attempted — probably  no  good  cause  existed  why  the 
attempt  should  have  been  made.  On  the  other  hand,  was 
it  not  a  duty  the  Session  owed  themselves — their  brother 
Elder — the  peace  of  the  church — the  best  interest  of  sound 
religious  practice,  to  have  gone  to  the  writer  of  the  letter 
who  requested  a  resignation,  and  labored  with  him,  to  rec- 
oncile his  feelings  to  an  officer  in  the  church  of  our  Lord  ; 
and  also  to  have  gone  and  used  the  moral  influence  of  their 
official  relation  to  the  church,  and  have  reconciled  the  dif- 
ferences that  may  have  arisen,  either  from  transient  and 
slight  causes,  or  even  of  a  serious  character. 

I  havfc  not  learned  on  any  principle  of  propriety,  that 
the  christian  character  of  a  private  member  of  the  church, 
is  so  lightly  to  be  tampered  with,  as  to  b&  even  arraigned 
before  the  Session  for  admonition  or  censure  for  anything  that 
can  be  substantiated  in  regard  to  my  christian  character.or 
official  relations  to  this  church  ;  yet  it  would  seem  by  the 
admission  of  one  of  the  committee,  they  came  clothed  with 
power  to  request  my  resignation  !  !  a  request  that  implies 
some  serious  matter  touching  a  man's  character,  qualifica- 
tions,  piety,  usefulness  &c,  &c,  which  without  an  ex- 


19 

planation  would  be  calculated  to  operate  unfavorably,  and 
in  some  instances  be  a  means  of  crushing  a  man's  influence 
as  a  christian,  and  in  very  many  respects  be  a  serious  an- 
noyance. In  this  case,  however,  I  am  happy  to  say  no 
such  results  are  apprehended,  for  my  resignation  was  pure- 
ly voluntary  and  had  been  resolved  on  more  than  once, and 
so  far  as  the  circumstances  are  known  here,  _  I  feel  neither 
my  christian  character  or  influence  will  be  disturbed. 

I  mean  no  personal  disrespect  to  the  members  of  session 
— a  majority  governs — who  favored  the  intention  I  pom- 
plain  of.  I  know  not,  but  from  the  relations  that  exist,  I 
am  satisfied  that  this  intended  request  is,  or  will  be  under- 
stood out  of  the  session.  If  they  have  acted  in  a  way  to 
give  their  official  sanction  to  the  request  of  the  "  one  pe- 
titioner," and  thus  tacitly  say  I  am  "  unacceptable  in  my 
official  character  to  a  majority  of  the  congregation,  "  they 
must  permit  me  to  protest— in  the  most  solemn  manner— 
against  its  propriety  or  their  right  to  do  it,  under  the  cir- 
cumstances. 

Our  congregation  numbers  probably  over  three  hundred. 
Do  the  session  mean  to  convey  the  idea  to  Presbytery  or 
the  community,  that  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons  in 
our  congregation  believe,  or  for  a  moment  think^  any  thing 
like  this  rash  petitioner  ?  I  say  as  a  Christian  man,  I 
doubt  whether  there  were  ten  adult  persons  in  the  congre- 
gation at  the  time  his  letter  was  written,  who  would  have 
been  willing  calmly  to  say  what  this  one  petitioner  has 
said.  The  truth  is,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  in- 
dividuals, whose  path  has  been  a  little  obstructed  by  my 
open  action  according  to  my  own  judgment^  I  am  confi- 
dent a  cordial  feeling  would  be  cheerfully  given  to  me  in 
an  official  or  other  character. 

The  circumstances  must  be  my  excuse  for  self  estima- 
tion on  this  occasion,  it  is  one  of  the  last  things  I  am  ac- 
customed to  present. 

My  reference  to  this  "  one  petitioner  "  so  often,  has  not 
been  made  with  any  design  to  offend  him,  but  because  it 
suited  my  reference  to  the  evidence  on  which  the  session 
acted  better  than  otherwise.  My  feelings  to  him  are  ex- 
_pressed  in  connection  with  his  letter. 


20 

Now  what  is  the  object  of  this  pamphlet,  and  what  is 
calculated  to  be  its  tendency? 

1st.  The  vindication  and  protection  of  the  writer,  by  an 
explanation  of  some  of  the  causes  of  his  resignation. 

2d.  To  lead  other  church  sessions  and  congregations, 
where  this  pamphlet  may  circulate,  to  consider  the  events 
to  which  allusion  has  been  made,  that  they  may  avoid  sim- 
ilar evils  ;  the  existence  of  which  cannot  fail  to  endanger 
vital  Godliness  and  christian  sympathy. 

3d.  That  the  Presbytery  having  an  oversight  and  super- 
visory control  of  the  church  and  Eldership  of  which  I  am 
a  member,  may  understand  some  of  the  evils  existing  with- 
in their  bounds,  and  that  a  wise  conservative  influence 
may  be  exerted  to  restore  any  lost  fellowship  that  may 
have  occurred  without  sufficient  reason,  or  any  intimation 
of  a  want  of  moral  character  or  integrity  on  either  side. 

4th.  That  as  Presbytery  will  meet  and  the  resignation 
be  reported  before  this  pamphlet  can  be  published, "and  as 
no  effort  may  be  made  to  secure  the  conservative  influence 
of  its  interference  at  that  time  :  and  as  the  spiritual  inter- 
ests and  fellowship  of  the  members  of  the  church  call  for 
prayerful  solicitude  to  unite  all  hearts,  who  hope  to  be  uni- 
ted in  heaven;  it  is  urged  that  so  desirable  results  may  be 
sought  after  and  prayed  for,  instead  of  any  unnecessary 
widening  of  a  breach  that  may  become  impassable. 

5th.  The  suppression  of  all  names  and  places,  in  order 
that  the  particular  church  in  which  these  occurrences  have 
taken  place  may  be  unknown,  except  within  its  immediate 
vicinity,  that  as  little  unpleasantness  may  be  experienced 
as  the  case  seems  to  admit  of  in  this  mode  of  Reformation 
and  Protection. 

That  the  great  Head  of  the  church  will  so  over-rule  all 
things  for  the  glory  of  His  name,  and  the  final  salvation  of 
all  his  professed  people,  is  the  desire  and  prayer  of  one 
who  is  still,  although  ceasing  to  act  as  such, 

A  RULING  ELDER. 

Northern  Indiana,  March  30,  1848. 


FURTHER  EXPLANATION. 

The  foregoing  narrative  was  prepared  in  its  original 
form  to  present  to  Presbytery  for  information.  At  that 
time  it  was  not  known  by  me  that  the  session  would  be 
willing  to  allow  of  a  voluntary  resignation  after  the  one 
petitioner's  letter  was  received,  and  the  lady  effort  to_  the 
same  end  was  announced.  Finding  it  could  not  be  printed 
in  time  for  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  on  the  4th  of  April, 
it  was  modified  for  a  more  extended  circulation  and  hand- 
ed to  the  printer  before  Presbytery  met. 

Supposing  it  possible  Presbytery  might  judge  I  ought  to 
lave  appealed  to  its  interference  for  the  correction  of  the 
evils  alluded  to,  and  desiring  an  adjustment  for  harmony 
in  the  church,  I  addressed  Presbytery  on  the  subject  soas 
to  open  the  way  for  the  session  to  manifest  any  healing 
spirit  that  might  exist  with  itself  or  the  few  whose  influ- 
ence it  might  consult,   to  wit : 

April  5,  1848. 

To   THE  PrESBYTERT  OF 

Dear  Brethren  : — The  undersigned  regret  the  necessity 
of  addressing  you  on  a  snbject  of  discord  in  the  —  Pres- 
byterian   chinch  of of  which  we  are  members. 

"One  of  the  Ruling  Elders  of  our  church,  and  a  portion 
of  its  members  have,  without  any  charge  implicating  the 
moral  character  of  any  one.  become  in  some  measure  es- 
tranged in  their  feelings.  The  original  cause  of  this  es- 
trangement in  some  considerable  degree,  grew  out  of  a  de- 
cision of  J H R ,  (the  Elder  referred  to)  when 

chairman  of  one  of  our  congregational  meetings,  that  la- 
dies were  not  entitled  to  vote.  The  discussion  of  this  and 
other  subjects  at  our  congregational  meetings  has  caused 
an  undue  excitement,  and  with  other  collateral  causes  sa 
affected  his  feelings  as  to  induce  him  voluntarily  to  resign 
his  active  service  as  Elder,  and  to  cause  one  person  to  pe- 
tition the  session  that  they  should  .request  his  resignation  ; 
how  many  more  may  have  desired  the  same,  we  do  not 
here  express  an  opinion,  as  a  diversity  of  view  may  be  en- 
tertained on  that  point. 

We  feel  that  the  cause  of  religion   in  our  own   church 


22 

may  be  injured  by  the  present  state  of  things;  and  not  be- 
lieving there  are  any  serious  obstacles  to  a  union  of  feeling, 
and  hearty  christian  fellowship  and  social  intercourse,  de- 
sire the  interposition  of  Presbytery  to   effect   so   desirable  ] 
an  object. 

We  therefore  desire  a  committee  of  Presbytery  to  con- 
fer with  a  few  members  of  our  church,  and  if  they  think 
the  way  clear,  that  Presbytery  adopt  the  following  meth- 
od of  healing  all  differences  alluded  to. 

1st.  That  Presbytery  recommend  to  the  church  and  con- 
gregation, that  in  their'future  congregational  meetings,  the 
qualifications  of  voters  shall  be  based  on  the  principles  laid 
down  in  a  work  of  Samuel  Miller,  D.  D.,  of  the  Prince- 
ton Theological  Seminary,  entitled,  "Miller  on  Ruling 
JElders.  " 

2d.  That   Presbytery   recommend  J H R— — 

to  withdraw  his  resignation,  and  A H >  to  with- 
draw his  request  that  the  session  advise  him  to  resign,  and 
a  record  be  made  of  the  same  on  the  records  of  the  session, 
and  he  be  requested  to  resume  the  active  duties  of  Ruling 
Elder. 

3d.  That  this  petition  to  Presbytery,  together  with  the 
action  of  Presbytery  on  the  case,  be  publicly  read  to  the 
congregation  on  Sabbath  morning  next,  from  the  Pulpit  by 
a  member  of  Presbytery,  and  accompanied  with  suitable 
remarks,  calculated  to  unite  the  cheerful  and  hearty  co- 
operation of  all  the  members  of  the  church,  in  union,  chris- 
tian fellowship,  and  social  intercourse. 

The  above  draft,  dear  brethren,  is  drawn  and  presented 
by  myself  to  Presbytery  as  my  petition  to  that  body  ;  that 
they  consider  the  propriety  of  handing  it  to  the  delegate 
from  session  in  attendance  on  Presbytery,  or  such  other 
member  of  session  as  they  think  proper,  _  in  order  that  it 
may  be  presented  to  each  member  of  session  to  sign,  to- 
gether with  Mr.  A H and    such  of  the    ladies  of 

the  church  as  they  may  judge   proper,  in  order    to   insure 
^he  harmonious  results  so  much  to  be  desired  for  the  inter- 
ests of  the  church  and  the  christian  fellowship  of  its  mem- 
bers. 

An  attention  to  it  this  morning,  and  the  harmonious  ac- 
tion of  session,  I  am  fully  persuaded,  may  during  the  day 
settle  every  difficulty,    so   that   the   Presbyterial    prayer 


23 

meeting  this  evening  may  be  thronged  with  hearts  in  sweet 
harmony,  uniting  in  aspirations  of  prayer  and  praise  to  the 
throne  of  heaven  for  the  descent  of  the  Spirit  on  his  wait- 
ing children.  In  this  I  can  heartily  unite,  and  hope  a  sim- 
ilar sympathy  will  be  manifested  by  the  persons  referred 
to,  and  the  exercise  of  the  conservative  influence  of  Pres- 
bytery exerted.  Most  Respectfully, 

Yours  in  the  Gospel, 

J H R • 

The  Presbytery  appointed  a  committee  who  conferred 
with  members  of  session  as  they  informed  me,  and  finding 
the  way  not  clear  to  adjust  the  differences  as  I  proposed, 
made  the  following  report,    to    wit :     "  The    committee  to 

whom   was  referred  the  letter    of    brother    J H 

R to  this  body,    beg   leave  to   report  the  following  :— 

That  in  accordance  with  the  "  desire  "  expressed  in  that 
letter,  the  committee  did  "  confer  with  a  few  members  "  of 

the  Presbyterian  church  of ,  but  that  they   do  not 

"  think  the  way  clear,  "  nor  that  it  is  expedient  for  Pres- 
bytery to  adopt  the  method  suggested  for  healing  the  dif- 
ferences spoken  of  in  that  letter.  " 

The  committee  informed  me  that  the  subject  ought  to 
come  before  them  in  a  different  form— by  way  of  a  com- 
plaint, or  with  charges  in  such  form  as  to  institute  an  in- 
vestigation—to warrant  Presbyterial  action,  and  suggested 
that  I  adopt  that  method  ;  but  I  informed  them  there  was 
nothing  to  charge  on  either  side,  and  any  investigation  of 
the  differences  would  probably  result  in  a  tedious  exciting 
procedure,  that  would  amount  in  reality  to  nothing  at  all 
to  warrant  the  undertaking ;  the  whole  difficulty  having 
arisen,  and  been  brought  to  its  present  foira,  by  causes 
wholly  unworthy  of  such  a  result ;  therefore  I  had  noth- 
ing to  propose  further  than  what  was  expressed  in  my  let- 
ter; a  willingness  on  my  part  to  unite  in  some  honorable, 
liberal,  and  I  trusted,  a  christian  course,  to  unite  the  dis- 
cordant elements  existing  in  the  church. 

My  complaint  against  the  session  for  "tacitly  endorsing 
the  letter"  of  the  (tone  petitioner,  "  by  sending  a  commit- 
tee clothed  with  "  authority  to  request  a  resignation,  " 
would  in  some  measure  be  unfounded  so  far  as  the  session- 
al record  would  show,  for  that  would  indicate  a  voluntary 
resignation,  appended  to  which  was  the  request  of  this  onQ 


petitioner,  but  no  record  of  the  authority  to  "  request  a 
resignation ;  "  therefore  to  sustain  a  complaint  on  that 
ground,  would  have  subjected  me  to  proof  from  the  persons 
complained  of,  and  which  if  not  voluntarily  given,  proba- 
bly could  not  have  been  required.  And  even  if  admitted, 
and  a  censure  had  been  given  by  Presbytery  to  the  session, 
for  acting  hastily  and  on  insufficient  grounds,  for  so  serious 
an  imputation,  it  would  not  have  healed  thocause  of  the 
disease,  but  in  all  probability  administered  to  its  fatality. 

Therefore,  being  indisposed  to  the  litigation  necessarily 
consequent  on  such  a  course,  I  preferred  appealing  direct- 
ly to  the  understanding  and  unbiassed  verdict  of  those  who 
may  choose  to  give  attention  enough  to  this  narrative  to 
understand  the  peculiar  and  unenviable  position  in  which 
circumstances  have  placed  me,  and  under  which  many 
would  have  sunk  in  silence,  although  like  myself,  unwilling 
martyrs  ! 

At  this  crisis  I  was  in  doubt  what  course  I  ought  to 
pursue,  but  learning  this  evening,  the  8th  of  April,  that 
another  congregational  meeting  was  expected  to  be  called 
to  endeavor  to  elect  the  candidate  so  recently  opposed  by 
so  large  a  minority,  it  appeared  to  me  that  a  new  agitation 
ot  the  same  subject  that  had  so  recently  brought  us  into 
difficulty,  would  likely  widen  the  breach  still  more.— 
Therefore,  to  leave  the  result  unconnected  with  me  in  any 
future  consequences  growing  out  of  the  meeting,  I  decided 
to  leave  the  church,  procured  a  dismission  the  same  eve- 
ning, and  now  feel  a  relief  from  the  corroding  responsible 
ties  of  a  disunited  connexion. 

More  than  self  will  and  personal  considerations,  induce 
me  to  this  publication.  However  feeble  an  effort  to  effect 
such  a  result,  it  is  intended  and  designed  as  a  delicate  ex- 
posure of  unsound  practice,  and  an  unworthy  managing 
spirit  in  the  church,  that  however  tolerated  in'the  political 
world,  by  worldlings,  is  almost  a  sure  evidence  of  a  wan- 
ing spirituality,  and  sooner  or  later  of  a  divided  church. — 
In  the  language  of  the  New  York  Observer,  "a  divided 
heart  is  feeble  with  God,  and  a  divided  church  has  no  mor- 
al power." 

A  RULING  ELDER. 

Aprils  1848,  .  Tf  Tisar;  Printery  Fort  JPaynef  Ia~ 


